LORTON, Va. - An intense ground and air search unfolded Monday afternoon for a suspect authorities say attacked a woman in a rural area of Lorton.

At about 11:30 a.m. Monday, police say a 53-year-old woman was walking along a trail near Lorton and Furnace Roads. The area back beyond historic boarded up Barrett House is isolated, with no trespassing signs throughout.

"I just don't think it's a good idea," said Heidi Harrison, a Lorton resident. "It just seems too easy a target."

Police say a man came up behind the woman and tried to drag her to the ground. She struggled with her attacker while he punched her in the upper part of her body. Police say she continued to fight and he took off.

"I think it's human nature! You just fight back. I would think an instinct would kick in," said Debbie Robison, a Lorton resident.

Police guided traffic away from the area as officers worked the crime scene for hours after the attack. The trails there are popular with walkers and bikers and police say they haven't had any problems in the area recently. But neighbors say the violence has come too close to home within the last year.

"They had a murder back here across the way from the Barrett House where they found a dead body back there about a year ago," said Laurie Gilliland, a Lorton resident. "But I think they said it was gang related."

In nearby Cavanaugh Crossing, the crime now has women warning their neighbors to watch out. "It's a perfect setting," said Harrison. "It's just too bad it's not safe."

Police say they have questioned several people Monday afternoon after the attack on the grounds of the old Lorton Prison. They say they should have someone in custody soon and there is currently no threat to the public.

 Email To Friend